1. How do I register to vote?
2. What are the requirements to be eligible to vote?
3. I have trouble writing. What should I do?
4. Do I fill in the whole form?
5. Is the information on my form confidential?
6. How do I know if I'm registered?
7. How will I find out where to go to vote?
8. I'm a college student living away from home. Where should I register?
9. I am registered, but I've recently moved. Does this affect my registration?
10. What do I do if I have changed my name?
11. I am a U.S. citizen living abroad. How do I vote?
12. My friend is a U.S. citizen who doesn't speak English. Where can I get assistance for him/her?
13. Are there other ways to vote besides going to the polls?
14. What should I bring with me to the polls?
15. What if my name isn’t on the registration list at my polling place?
16. What kind of machine will I be voting on? Is it going to be different from what I’ve used in the past?

If you do not see your question above, please e-mail us at voterinfo@lwv.org 1. How do I register to vote? You can contact your local election office. Check your phonebook for your local board of elections, usually a county clerk's office or municipal board of elections. You can also contact your state board of elections . If you're not sure whom to contact, start by calling your local or state League of Women Voters. Top

2. What are the requirements to be eligible to vote? You must be:

1. A citizen of the United States, and
2. 18 years old by the general election.

Many states also have eligibility requirements that disqualify citizens for felony conviction or mental incapacity. These are listed on state voter registration application forms. Top

3. I have trouble writing. What should I do? Under the National Voter Registration Act, state agencies required to provide voter registration opportunities, i.e., department of motor vehicles, public assistance agencies and agencies that serve people with disabilities, must provide assistance in filling out the voter registration form if asked. Top

4. Do I fill in the whole form? For the federal mail-in application form, be sure to mark the check boxes that affirm you are 18 years of age and a US citizen, provide the required identification number (usually your driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number), and read the directions for your state. Eligibility requirements and required information vary. Top

5. Is the information on my form confidential? Voter registration information is a matter of public record. Under the National Voter Registration Act, however, states may not use information on declinations or the site of individual registration for any purpose other than voter registration. Also, states that require Social Security numbers are required to protect the confidentiality of that information. Top

6. How do I know if I'm registered? Within a few weeks after you send in or hand in your registration application, you should get a notice in the mail telling you that you are now officially a registered voter. Hold on to that notice. Often those notices tell you where you go to vote, and that’s something you’ll want to know later on. If you don’t receive this notice, check with your local board of elections to see if there is a problem with your registration. If there is a problem with your registration, take corrective action immediately. Top

7. How will I find out where to go to vote? Your registration card should include the address of your polling place. Many jurisdictions also send additional informative materials to registered voters. If you do not receive the information in the mail, call your local election office. Top

8. I'm a college student living away from home. Where should I register? You can register either at your home or school address, depending on state law. It is important to update your registration each time you move. If you are registered at your home address while you're at school, remember to request an absentee ballot at least 30 days before the election. Check with your state election board for the exact deadline. Top

9. I am registered, but I've recently moved. Does this affect my registration? Yes. If you are registered and have moved within your current election jurisdiction, contact your local election office to update your registration and determine where you should vote. If you moved outside of your old election jurisdiction, you will have to reregister in your new jurisdiction before the registration deadline in your state. Top

10. What do I do if I have changed my name? You may use your state's form, the universal registration form to submit a change of name, or use the League’s online registration tool. Top

11. I am a U.S. citizen living abroad. How do I vote? You must request an absentee ballot. Contact a U.S. embassy, consulate, designated military personnel or your state election authority. For additional information contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Top

12. My friend is a U.S. citizen who doesn't speak English. Where can I get assistance for him/her? Check with your local election authority to see whether your state provides election materials in a language other than English. The Voting Rights Act requires local election officials to provide bilingual voter registration applications, ballots and language assistance when a certain percentage of the population of the jurisdiction is comprised of a language minority group. Top

13. Are there other ways to vote besides going to the polls? All states are required to have an absentee ballot (vote by mail) program to allow citizens who will be away from home on Election Day or who can not go to the polls to vote. Many states do not restrict absentee voting. Contact your local election officials for information on absentee voting in your area. If you are registered at your home address and want to vote while you're attending college, remember to request an absentee ballot at least 30 days before the election. Check with your state election board for the exact deadline. Top

14. What should I bring with me to the polls? In some states you have to bring photo identification (ID) with you to vote. If you have ID, it’s always a good idea to bring it with you. It’s also good to have something that shows your address. You can also bring notes with you, or a sample ballot that you’ve marked up, or any other information you like. Top

15. What if my name isn’t on the registration list at my polling place? If your name is not on the registration list you will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot that will be counted once election officials determine if you are eligible to vote in that jurisdiction. Top

16. What kind of machine will I be voting on? Is it going to be different from what I’ve used in the past? Some voters will face a new voting machine this November and others will continue to use the same equipment they’ve used in years past. To find out what equipment you’ll be using in your polling place, contact your local election official. If you need help finding your local election official, contact your state official. For additional information on how to use various types of voting machines see Navigating Election Day.